📋 Tender Overview
The norm already approved in the Lower House has two central objectives: to settle the debt with the distributors resulting from delays in the tariff processes and to extend the electricity subsidy until 2027. A first look was given by the Mining and Energy Commission to the project, in the second stage, of electricity tariff protection. This message called lets get our accounts in order was presented by the Minister of Energy, Ximena Rincon in the last session. The Commission agreed to hold a round of hearings inviting actors in the electricity system. The president of the body, Senator Yasna Provoste, assured that we want to vote on the idea of legislating next Tuesday, July 21, so that it can be seen in the Chamber that afternoon. The parliamentarian acknowledged that in general terms, the project seems good to us. Electrical issues always have to be looked at with great care and attention, because everything is associated with the familys accounts. What we want to guarantee is that the pocketbook is also protected here and particularly, what we have asked of the government is that the subsidy not only be extended during the year 2027. PROJECT The norm already approved in the Lower House has two central objectives: settle the debt with the distributors and expand the electricity subsidy. Debt payment and resettlements: the rule takes care of the accumulated debt resulting from delays in tariff processes, especially in the Value Added Distribution (VAD) 2020-2024, which presents a delay of up to 43 months and has generated obligations of the order of 900 million dollars. In this way: Makes modifications to the General Law of Electrical Services to improve pricing processes and ensure quality of service. Considers the mechanism to settle the debt that consumers have with distribution companies. It proposes that payment of this begin in 2028, when there will be a decrease in electricity bills, and conclude in 2035. It enables a one-time and voluntary review of contracts signed under more expensive market conditions, to reduce the energy component of regulated customer rates. The National Energy Commission (CNE), with prior authorization from the Ministry of Energy, may modify one or more contracts that are in force with the electricity generators. Extension of the electricity subsidy: the benefit is extended to 2027 for the 40% of the most vulnerable population. To do this, 120 million dollars will be injected per year, the same amount that benefited two million households in past years. In addition, the Ministry of Energy must submit a report every six months to the Mining and Energy Commission on the progress of coverage of this benefit. Protection of electro-dependent patients: the rule obliges Health Services to inform the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) of certified electro-dependent patients, so that it can inform the distributors of their registration in the registry. Security of supply and quality of service: the project expands the powers of the State to dictate preventive measures against supply risks, making current requirements that limit these tools to specific causes more flexible. Addresses the investment deficit in electrical infrastructure, considering that recent events have shown relevant fragilities in the distribution network, with prolonged outages and high exposure to weather conditions.
